THE 



TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 



AND 



MAGAZINE OF THE 



CEYLON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Vol. XXX. COLOMBO, 15th MAECH, 1908, No. 3. 



Coconut Stem Bleeding Disease. 



The news of the attack of a disea e 

 upon the coconut, a tree occupying 

 750,000 acres in the island, furnishing a 

 very important part of our food-supply, 

 and one of the staples of village cultiva- 

 tion, has aroused great interest and 

 some alarm. After very careful con- 

 sideration, the Government has decided 

 to proclaim the disease under the Pests 

 Ordinance, and it may be taken for 

 granted, we imagine, that the local 

 Pests Boards will place no obstacle in 

 the way of carrying out the simple 

 measures proposed, viz : cutting out the 

 diseased parts, scorching the wound, 

 and tarring it. One or two points 

 require careful attention. The diseased 

 part, especially if there be any marked 

 bleeding, will often be found to run a 



good way up and down the tree, and 

 must of course be all removed. The 

 diseased part sometimes seems to end, 

 and then begin again an inch or two 

 further on. After all has, apparently, 

 been cut out, a cut should be made an 

 inch or two further on to make sure 

 that this is not the case. A small torch, 

 or better a painter's lamp, as used for 

 scorching paint, should be used, and the 

 tar should be hot. 



There seems no reason for serious 

 alarm. The disease is being taken at 

 its commencement and should soon be 

 in the same state as Cacao Canker, 

 which is no longer regarded as a serious 

 menace, but simply as costing so much a 

 year to keep under. 



